Stewards Report
Shepparton 07/06/2022
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
STEWARDS REPORT FOR SHEPPARTON
TUESDAY 7 JUNE 2022
Daniel Borg (Chairman) Track: Good |
Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted.
GENERAL:
Mildura (03 June 2022): Cody Crossland (Make Haste) was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR 238 for failing to comply with a requirement of Stewards to attend an inquiry before leaving the course.
RACE 1 – CENTRAL TYRE SERVICE MAIDEN PACE (2190 MS)
Cabo Cruz was a late scratching with Stewards’ permission at 3.50pm. Stable representative Maree Newberry advised Stewards that after repeated attempts the gelding was unable to be loaded for transportation to the course. Given the submissions put forward by connections and the fact that the gelding was on debut Cabo Cruz will now be stood down for a period of six (6) days.
Ima Bad Molly commenced to pull hard in the initial stages and continued to pull hard throughout. Given the entirety, a warning was issued.
Milly Patone gave ground from approx. the 500m to be beaten 36.2m
RACE 2 – GUARDLINE SECURITY SERVICES TROT (2190 MS)
Hurricane Jane broke during the score-up and will continue to be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.
Abbie was out of position when the start was effected and will continue to be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.
Aristotle was fractious in the early part of the score-up, raced roughly after the start, then hung out after the start when heading into the first turn and a warning was issued. The gelding was then held-up for clear running in the early part of the home straight on the final occasion.
Buslin Brody and Cmon Carl Lee were both inconvenienced when Aristotle hung out, heading into the first turn.
Buslin Brody broke gait free of interference in the back straight on the first occasion. The gelding trailed the field thereafter.
Starlight Storm gave ground from approx. the 600m after leading the event and was beaten 38.3m. The gelding underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed lameness (3/5) in the near-fore limb. Starlight Storm will now be stood down pending veterinary clearance.
Nathan Jack, driver of Cmon Carl Lee plead guilty to a charge under AHRR 163(1)(d) which reads a driver shall not directly or indirectly cause another runner to shift inside the line of marker posts or into the sprint lane, with the particulars of the charge being that racing round the back turn at approx. the 800m, Mr. Jack permitted his drive to shift in when attempting to gain a position on the peg line when not clear of Yoee, driven by Carmel Belot, causing that runner’s inside sulky wheel to race inside the line of at least three marker pegs. In determining penalty, Stewards considered Mr. Jack’s guilty plea and good record under this rule and imposed a fine the sum of $200.
Cmon Carl Lee hung in and contacted marker pegs in the back straight on the final occasion when tiring, before being beaten 86m. Driver, Nathan Jack could offer no tangible explanation for the gelding’s performance. Cmon Carl Lee underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed stringhalt-like symptoms when walking and trotting-out. Subsequent checks revealed the condition to worsen over time. Cmon Carl Lee was stood down pending veterinary clearance and Stewards intend to follow-up with connections in the coming days as to the gelding’s recovery.
RACE 3 – SADDLEWORLD SHEPPARTON 3YO PACE (2190 MS)
David Aiken, trainer of Shireen was fined the sum of $50 for presenting the filly in gear that was not accurately recorded. In adopting this approach, Stewards considered that Mr. Aiken had been issued a caution within the preceding 28 days.
Very Tempting raced roughly upon entering the home straight with one lap to run. The gelding then tired to be beaten 79.5m. Very Tempting underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities and as such, the gelding was placed on his last chance to race competitively.
Dallas Miki gave ground from approx. the 500m to be beaten 42.5m.
RACE 4 – COTTRELLS ELECTRICAL TROTTERS HANDICAP (2190 SS)
The racebook failed to show Josh Duggan as the driver of Whatwillbeewillbee NZ.
The racebook failed to show Daryl Douglas as the driver of Emdeegee NZ.
Brent Lilley, trainer of Whatwillbeewillbee NZ was fined the sum of $100 for presenting the gelding in gear that was not accurately recorded. In adopting this approach, Stewards considered that Mr. Lilley was fined the sum of $50 within the preceding 28 days.
Maestro raced roughly after the start.
Stewards held up the all clear to review the official race replays and determine whether Maestro (winner) had remained in the correct gait over the concluding stages. It was established that despite racing roughly, the gelding remained in the correct gait over the concluding stages, and broke gait once past the finishing line and therefore Stewards gave all clear on the judge’s numbers.
Ross Payne, driver of Benji Hall was questioned regarding the driving tactics on the gelding. Specifically, Mr. Payne’s decision to remain in the running line from approx. the 600m and not improve wider and lead up the three wide line. Mr. Payne explained that in his view, the gelding performs best when driven conservatively and for that reason, he chose not to expose his drive at that point of the race. Mr. Payne further explained that should he have improved onto the back of Kalarney Heidi (Damian Wilson) rounding the home turn, he would not have been able to get to the outside of Maestro (Chris Alford), who was positioned a half-length behind and to the outside of Kalarney Heidi, and for that reason he elected wait for a run between runners. Upon review of the race replays and Benji Hall’s recent form, Stewards verified Mr. Payne’s account and noted his explanation.
RACE 5 – BARASTOC PACE (2190 MS)
Mac Cheddar hung-in during the score-up.
Lets Dig It pulled hard in the score-up.
Platinum Prince NZ pulled hard through the early and middle stages when in a marker peg position.
Write About Angus NZ broke in the score-up, was out of position when the start was effected and will now be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events. The gelding trailed the field thereafter.
Zach Lowe NZ was held-up prior to and in the early part of the home straight before utilizing the sprint lane over the concluding stages.
RACE 6 – ALABAR PACE (2190 MS)
Shannon O’Sullivan replaced Michelle Phillips (suspended) as the driver of Just Ralph.
Roslyn Gaye pulled hard through the early and middle stages.
Carload raced roughly rounding the home turn on the final occasion.
My Magic Merlin was held up for clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion.
Shezabluechip was held up for clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion before utilizing the sprint lane.
Reckless Dream gave ground from approx. the 400m to be beaten 27m into last placing after leading the event.
Just Ralph pulled hard throughout the middle stages when positioned on the marker pegs.
Shannon O’Sullivan was questioned regarding the driving tactics adopted and the overall performance of Just Ralph. Ms. O’Sullivan explained that it was her decision to move down to a marker peg position heading into the first turn, when there was an opportunity available to remain in the running line, owing to the gelding’s most recent form where it had been failing to finish off his races competitively. Ms. O'Sullivan added that connections had instructed her to drive Just Ralph conservatively and in her opinion, once clear, the gelding had finished off the race satisfactorily. Upon review of the gelding’s form and race replays, Stewards verified Ms. O'Sullivan's account and noted her explanation.
RACE 7 – NEATLINE HOMES PACE (1690 MS)
Treacherous Rock was held-up for clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion.
Zuberi was held-up for clear running over the concluding stages.
RACE 8 – YOUR SOLD REAL ESTATE PACE (1690 MS)
The racebook failed to show Jack Laugher as the driver of Shawami Lass NZ.
Cheeki Philtra raced roughly and broke gait leaving back straight on the final occasion. The mare then locked wheels with Cresco Threepeat who was racing to her outside. Cresco Threepeat was subsequently checked. Cheeki Philtra will now be placed on her last chance to race truly. Lasting Bond who was improving behind the aforementioned runners contacted the sulky of Cheeki Philtra, was severely checked and broke gait.
Nathan Jack, driver of Lasting Bond was questioned regarding the driving tactics adopted on the gelding, specifically the decision to not to improve wider on the track and follow Riverina Flash heading into the back straight on the final occasion. Mr. Jack explained that when Rosalee Dot Com commenced to give ground rapidly from the 600m, had he followed Riverina Flash into the race, his drive would have had to improve extremely wide on the track rounding the home turn. Mr. Jack added that in his view, had he elected to improve into the race wider on the track from the 700m, Lasting Bond would not have finished off the event in a competitive manner. Further, Mr Jack offered that approaching the 500m, it appeared that the eventual winner; Upright (Damian Wilson) was going to extrciate away from the marker pegs and into the running line which would have allowed Lasting Bond a passage through, yet Mr Wilson elected to remain in a marker peg position. Stewards verified Mr. Jack’s account, noting that the tactics adopted were similar to the gelding's usual racing pattern and noted Mr Jack's explanation.
Tony Baressi, driver of Rosalee Dot Com ($151 and beaten 130.4m) was questioned regarding his driving tactics on the mare. Specifically his decision to hold the position outside the leader until the winning post with one lap to run, before relinquishing to Goodlookin Rooster NZ who was improving to his outside. Mr. Baressi explained that his drive was travelling keenly through the initial stages and at no stage did he drive forward and attempt to hold out Goodlookin Rooster NZ. Mr. Baressi added that it appeared Goodlookin Rooster NZ was driven along and was slow to improve forward around his runner before finding the position outside the leader at the bell. Further, Mr. Baressi explained that no sooner had Rosalee Dot Com been crossed that the mare dropped the bit and gave ground rapidly from approx. the 600m, with Mr. Baressi unable to explain her disappointing finish. Mr. Baressi added that Rosalee Dot Com had been working well leading into the event and was expecting an improved effort from her first-up run. Stewards noted Mr. Baressi’s explanation. Rosalee Dot Com underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities and as such was stood down pending the completion of one (1) satisfactory trial.
Daniel Borg
Chairman
‘This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at the sole discretion of the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards as races are reviewed as per the ‘HRV Stewards Internal Review Process’.
Swabs:
Pre-Race:
Race 4: Emdeegee NZ
Race 5: Mac Cheddar
Race 6: Shezabluechip
Race 7: Pocket Thedeal NZ
Race 8: Goodlookin Rooster NZ
Post-Race:
Race 1: Florenceofkintail
Race 2: Loves In The Air
Race 4: Maestro
Race 5: Patsy Valentine
Race 6: Major Mal
Race 7: High Flying Harry NZ
| Suspensions: | NIL | ||
| Fines: | |||
| Race 2: | N. Jack | 163(1)(d) | $200 |
| Race 3: | D. Aiken | 273(6)(b) | $50 |
| Race 4: | B. Lilley | 273(6)(b) | $100 |
| Cautions: | NIL | ||
| Horse Actions: | |||
| Race 2: | Abbie | CODM | |
| Race 2: | Hurricane Jane | CODM | |
| Race 2: | Starlight Storm | SDVC | |
| Race 2: | Cmon Carl Lee | SDVC | |
| Race 5: | Write About Angus NZ | ODM | |
| Race 8: | Rosalee Dot Com | SD1T | |
| Late Scratchings: | |||
| Race 1: | Cabo Cruz | Vet's Advice | 3.50pm |
